Topics Covered: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
How much of India’s population lives with disabilities?
Context:
December 3 is marked by the UN as International Day of Persons with Disabilities in a bid to promote a more inclusive and accessible world for the differently-abled and to raise awareness for their rights.
Facts and figures:
About 2.2% of India’s population lives with some kind of physical or mental disability, as per the National Statistics Office report on disability released last year.
How are the disabled identified?
Until the 2011 census, there were questions on seven kinds of disabilities in the questionnaire. This list of disabilities was expanded to 21 when the Rights of People with Disabilities was introduced in 2016.
Accordingly, the 2019 report identified disabled people as those with temporary loss of an ability as well as neurological and blood disorders in addition to the earlier definition, that included mental retardation and permanent inability to move, speak, hear and see.
- Significantly, the revised definition recognises deformities and injuries of acid attack victims as disabilities, entitling them to various relief measures.
Who are disabled and in what way?
- A higher proportion of men were disabled in India compared with women, and disability was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas.
- Inability to move without assistance was the most common disability. More men experienced locomotor disability than women.
Why is it important to get the number of disabled people right?
The disabled in India are entitled to some benefits, ranging from reservation in educational institutes to concessions on railway tickets.
- To claim these benefits, they have to furnish certificates as proof of disability.
- At the macro level, data on the prevalence and type of disability is useful while making allocations for welfare schemes.
Constitutional Frameworks for Disabled in India:
- Article 41 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) states that State shall make effective provision for securing right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, within the limits of its economic capacity and development.
- The subject of ‘relief of the disabled and unemployable’ is specified in state list of the Seventh Schedule of the constitution.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Article 41 of the Indian Constitution is related to?
- Overview of the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016.
- About the Accessible India Campaign.
- DeenDayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme.
- Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase / fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP).
Sources: Indian Express.
